Hainan, China, September 7, 2019: Organisers of the Olympic Council of Asia’s 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China in 2020 believe the event will further develop sports tourism on Hainan island.
With a delegation from the OCA due to visit tropical Sanya on Sunday, September 8, local officials are keen to use the Asian Beach Games to promote the concept of sports tourism.
Mr. Chen Tiejun, member of the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of the Sanya Municipal People’s Government, said the selection of Sanya as host city would help boost its sports tourism industry as Sanya was actively building the city as a benchmark for the Hainan Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics.
“Sanya will make efforts to deliver a successful and incredible event and show the world an energetic tropical resort city with great hospitality and sports spirit,” said Vice Mayor Chen.
“As the host city for the sixth Asian Beach Games 2020, Sanya has achieved remarkable results in preparing for the event in all fields, including accommodation, transportation, security, preparation for both opening and closing ceremonies, as well as testing events.”
Mr. Tong Daochi, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee, is Vice President of the Sanya Organising Committee.
“Sanya is the only tropical coastal tourist resort city in China. The city boasts a 258km-long coastline and has a total of 19 bays and beaches,” he said.
“Its good natural resources and huge potential for tourism development make the city unique to develop the beach and water sports.
“The city is working to promote deeper integration of tourism with the sports industry by introducing quality international sports events such as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the FIA Formula E Championship with an aim of building it into a national demonstration zone for sports tourism.”
The organising committee was established on July 19 and began the recruitment of volunteers on July 25.
The 6th Asian Beach Games 2020 will take place from November 28 to December 6 and will feature 17 sports.
The three locations, and sports to be held there, are:
Haitang District: sailing, surfing, powered paragliding.
Tianya District (beach/sea): beach water polo, beach volleyball, beach athletics, beach handball, beach woodball, duathlon and motor boat. River: dragon boat racing.
Jiyang District: 3×3 basketball, sports climbing, teqball (table football), beach wrestling, beach kabaddi and beach soccer.
History of Asian Beach Games: 2008, Bali, Indonesia; 2010, Muscat, Oman; 2012, Haiyang, China; 2014, Phuket, Thailand; 2016, Danang, Vietnam.
